System and method for rapid emergency information distribution

Abstract

A building's scaled plans are integrated in a single system. The structural, electrical, water, fire alarm, motion detection, and other various assorted systems are all integrated into the same system. Thus, they are easily accessible to emergency personnel. The emergency personnel will have immediate access to data gathered by the alarm system thereby notifying emergency personnel immediately of the location of hazardous situations as well as where potential victims or, in the event of a crime where, perpetrators may be. The system can also be used to plan ingress and egress routes or point-to-point routes and distances. Further, emergency planning for other structures such as bridges and tunnels can be performed using the disclosed system. Additionally, GPS locators can be used to track personnel.

Description

[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 629,347, filed Jul. 28, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 398,927, filed Jul. 27, 2002, titled “Systems and Methods for Viewing and Modifying Digitized Drawings,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 547,790, filed Feb. 27, 2004, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if set fully herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It is known that buildings can be provided with various alarm systems. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 434,390 discloses a method of displaying event information from a building system where the event is a non-normal condition generated within a building system. Information regarding the building is displayed on a display portion. The displayed information is selectable and changeable by a user. An alarm graphic can also be displayed which relates to a non-normal condition in ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The scale plans are useful to emergency personnel for planning ingress egress routes for buildings or structures, including stadiums, arenas, bridges, tunnels, and the like. Additionally, point-to-point routing is easily determined.

[0008] The current invention facilitates point-to-point routing within a structure, allowing personnel to identify exact routes for reaching a specific location. Emergency personnel will know how to get from point A to point B, and the exact distance they must travel. For example, when a building is engulfed in smoke, fire personnel cannot see and must rely on other means to assess where they need to go. Utilizing this system, firefighters will know exactly how far to go in any given direction to reach a location. Similarly, in stadiums and arenas, security can utilize the disclosed system to pinpoint problem areas and address security situations that may arise. Both emergency personnel and tenants or other people in the building will be able to determine the location of emergency exits and routes to the exits. Various routes to emergency exits can be determined in real time using dynamic searching.

[0009] The invention can deliver the scale plan information in at least three ways. First, in one embodiment, the invention displays the information on a PC screen and allows users to pick selected points or areas using a pointing device, such as a mouse. Second, the invention can display the information on hand-held devices that personnel can carry. Third, the system can use a heads-up display, which displays the relevant information in a user's line of sight. Using the invention in this manner would aid firefighters who often work in situations involving reduced visibility. With the invention, a firefighter walking in darkness can view a heads-up display that details any needed information, including current location and routes to a desired destination.

Problems solved by technology

More importantly, the building plans are worthless to these personnel if the plans are not to scale.

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